david dunn's diary
Friday, February 22, 2008 (53/223)
10.04 pm
A very frustrating day at school, but to balance it, I got the call from Stick Enterprises today: my instrument is "in production", and the completion date is early June. Definite Woot.
A very frustrating day at school, but to balance it, I got the call from Stick Enterprises today: my instrument is "in production", and the completion date is early June. Definite Woot.
Thursday, February 21, 2008 (52/223)
7.59 pm
Another physically taxing day at work. It's amazing just how much a 12x12x3 box can weigh; when you pack it with small metal piano action parts, it can get to 50 pounds. Good news is the large organization project is completed, so it's on to the next thing. Met V at Firkin for beer and food, and both were excellent as usual. To bed shortly tonight, as tomorrow will be a long one. I'll head in at 5.30 as usual, with an agenda for practicing plus an added task of replacing a string on one of the school pianos. Saturday morning early, V and I will head west; she to Des Moines to visit her son, dropping me at the parents' house in D'port on the way, where I'll provide what support I can to Mom and to Joe, who will arrive home from the hospital tomorrow. While I'm there I'll take a crack at Mom's piano as well. We'll return on Sunday, and I probably won't take the computer, so the journal for Saturday will be back-posted on Sunday.
Another physically taxing day at work. It's amazing just how much a 12x12x3 box can weigh; when you pack it with small metal piano action parts, it can get to 50 pounds. Good news is the large organization project is completed, so it's on to the next thing. Met V at Firkin for beer and food, and both were excellent as usual. To bed shortly tonight, as tomorrow will be a long one. I'll head in at 5.30 as usual, with an agenda for practicing plus an added task of replacing a string on one of the school pianos. Saturday morning early, V and I will head west; she to Des Moines to visit her son, dropping me at the parents' house in D'port on the way, where I'll provide what support I can to Mom and to Joe, who will arrive home from the hospital tomorrow. While I'm there I'll take a crack at Mom's piano as well. We'll return on Sunday, and I probably won't take the computer, so the journal for Saturday will be back-posted on Sunday.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 (51/223)
10.34 pm
Another bitterly cold day, but most of it thankfully spent indoors. The project at work has a very physical component involving lots of odd contortions, laying on the concrete floor, and operating hand tools at bizarre angles. It definitely takes a toll on me physically. V was traveling on business for the day, so I came home and occupied myself until T'ai Chi with some hammer flange re-bushing, our latest repair challenge at school. Got things as far as glue-drying mode before leaving for class. A good class, but it's clear to me that there are people in the class who are - unlike me - actually spending time on the movements during the week. Got to start doing that. Saw the climax of the lunar eclipse on my way home, then had a late supper while chatting with V about her day in Ohio. She crashed, having gotten up at 3.30, and I went back to the workbench to finish what I had started. Now the bed is calling.
Another bitterly cold day, but most of it thankfully spent indoors. The project at work has a very physical component involving lots of odd contortions, laying on the concrete floor, and operating hand tools at bizarre angles. It definitely takes a toll on me physically. V was traveling on business for the day, so I came home and occupied myself until T'ai Chi with some hammer flange re-bushing, our latest repair challenge at school. Got things as far as glue-drying mode before leaving for class. A good class, but it's clear to me that there are people in the class who are - unlike me - actually spending time on the movements during the week. Got to start doing that. Saw the climax of the lunar eclipse on my way home, then had a late supper while chatting with V about her day in Ohio. She crashed, having gotten up at 3.30, and I went back to the workbench to finish what I had started. Now the bed is calling.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 (50/223)
10.11 pm
Long day. Work from 7.30 to 4. School from 5.30 to 8. Home for a brief gentling with V. Iowa wins, Drake loses, Obama beats H-dog again. And now to bed. The plan for the next few days is well mapped-out.
Long day. Work from 7.30 to 4. School from 5.30 to 8. Home for a brief gentling with V. Iowa wins, Drake loses, Obama beats H-dog again. And now to bed. The plan for the next few days is well mapped-out.
Monday, February 18, 2008 (49/223)
Tuesday, 5.59 am
In spite of the fact that I spent the last three hours of my evening at the computer, I still managed to forget to post a journal entry. Even more odd, the last activity of those three hours was reading RF's latest entries. The brain is a funny thing.
Spent an hour tuning the midrange of our piano after work, and then after dinner got some good work in on the research project, after receiving some feedback from my advisor. The survey is done and ready to distribute. My sampling will be a bit smaller than I had hoped, due to some non-responses I wasn't expecting, but it should still be illuminating. Very tired by 10.00, and so to bed I went, without posting.
There's no snow in the forecast for the next two days!
In spite of the fact that I spent the last three hours of my evening at the computer, I still managed to forget to post a journal entry. Even more odd, the last activity of those three hours was reading RF's latest entries. The brain is a funny thing.
Spent an hour tuning the midrange of our piano after work, and then after dinner got some good work in on the research project, after receiving some feedback from my advisor. The survey is done and ready to distribute. My sampling will be a bit smaller than I had hoped, due to some non-responses I wasn't expecting, but it should still be illuminating. Very tired by 10.00, and so to bed I went, without posting.
There's no snow in the forecast for the next two days!
Sunday, February 17, 2008 (48/223)
9.38 pm
For all intents and purposes, a day off. As we each did various small tasks around the house - me paying bills and tending to the garbage and recycling, and V tackling the laundry - we watched outside as the forecasted storm approached and then...evaporated. Not any complaints from us, although it could have been an opportunity for V to visit her daughter; but you just can't predict the weather in the midwest in February. News from the QCs was neither encouraging nor discouraging, as they have yet to ascertain exactly what is going on with Joe. Focus is on the heart and lungs, but nothing definite. Sounds as if he may go home tomorrow, if things can get stabilized. Mom still insists there's no need to make the trip down, but I'm ready to travel if need be.
I read the journal entries from the team members recounting the gig last night, and it sounds as if it was a resounding success. I need to make a decision as to my commitment, which feels lacking to the task. Encouraging words from team members notwithstanding, I'm just not sure the mental and physical energies are right for me to be in a performing wing of GC right now. Part of what I'm feeling may just be fighting against the winter blahs, though. The right path will present itself, as it always does.
For all intents and purposes, a day off. As we each did various small tasks around the house - me paying bills and tending to the garbage and recycling, and V tackling the laundry - we watched outside as the forecasted storm approached and then...evaporated. Not any complaints from us, although it could have been an opportunity for V to visit her daughter; but you just can't predict the weather in the midwest in February. News from the QCs was neither encouraging nor discouraging, as they have yet to ascertain exactly what is going on with Joe. Focus is on the heart and lungs, but nothing definite. Sounds as if he may go home tomorrow, if things can get stabilized. Mom still insists there's no need to make the trip down, but I'm ready to travel if need be.
I read the journal entries from the team members recounting the gig last night, and it sounds as if it was a resounding success. I need to make a decision as to my commitment, which feels lacking to the task. Encouraging words from team members notwithstanding, I'm just not sure the mental and physical energies are right for me to be in a performing wing of GC right now. Part of what I'm feeling may just be fighting against the winter blahs, though. The right path will present itself, as it always does.
Saturday, February 16, 2008 (47/223)
9.57 pm
Joe is resting comfortably as of late this morning, and Mom has said there's no need to travel at this point. There's still no definitive word as to a diagnosis that has been shared with me, though. Lots of thoughts sent that direction today, and towards Forest Park for the team's performance this evening. V and I spent a nice day together, and I managed to eradicate the latest wall o' boulders deposited by the city, although it took a hoe and two shifts. Tomorrow rain followed by ice and snow is on the way. This winter has run its course, and I'm ready for it to end.
Joe is resting comfortably as of late this morning, and Mom has said there's no need to travel at this point. There's still no definitive word as to a diagnosis that has been shared with me, though. Lots of thoughts sent that direction today, and towards Forest Park for the team's performance this evening. V and I spent a nice day together, and I managed to eradicate the latest wall o' boulders deposited by the city, although it took a hoe and two shifts. Tomorrow rain followed by ice and snow is on the way. This winter has run its course, and I'm ready for it to end.
Friday, February 15, 2008 (46/223)
9.57 pm
After returning home this evening I received a phone call from Mom with news: Joe is in the hospital. Actually that news is not so bad, in the sense that he's actually under a doctor's care, finally. A trip to the QC may be imminent; I'll know more in the morning. In the meantime, as many good thoughts as can be sent that way, are being sent.
Additional good wishes go out to the team for tomorrow night's performance.
After returning home this evening I received a phone call from Mom with news: Joe is in the hospital. Actually that news is not so bad, in the sense that he's actually under a doctor's care, finally. A trip to the QC may be imminent; I'll know more in the morning. In the meantime, as many good thoughts as can be sent that way, are being sent.
Additional good wishes go out to the team for tomorrow night's performance.
Thursday, February 14, 2008 (45/223)
9.21 pm
A happy Valentine's Day, with a decent day at work, and a lovely relaxing evening home with the sweetie. Some studying during breaks at work, and combined with work at school in the morning I think I'll be ready for whatever they throw at me. Looks like the weather might even cooperate. The only downside I can think of right now is the aches and pains in my body, but that's most likely just due to overzealous lifting while doing my organizing at work.
Tonight would normally - at least normally for the past 6 years - be the 'judges meeting' prior to the Tallcorn Jazz festival at UNI. This year, it's happening without me. For some reason, this marks the shift in my life more than anything else has up to this point. It represents a phase that I am unlikely to return to, and I'm basically okay with that, but there's still a bit of a twinge. Good thoughts go out to this year's team; it's a real burn for two solid days, but has it's rewarding moments as well.
A happy Valentine's Day, with a decent day at work, and a lovely relaxing evening home with the sweetie. Some studying during breaks at work, and combined with work at school in the morning I think I'll be ready for whatever they throw at me. Looks like the weather might even cooperate. The only downside I can think of right now is the aches and pains in my body, but that's most likely just due to overzealous lifting while doing my organizing at work.
Tonight would normally - at least normally for the past 6 years - be the 'judges meeting' prior to the Tallcorn Jazz festival at UNI. This year, it's happening without me. For some reason, this marks the shift in my life more than anything else has up to this point. It represents a phase that I am unlikely to return to, and I'm basically okay with that, but there's still a bit of a twinge. Good thoughts go out to this year's team; it's a real burn for two solid days, but has it's rewarding moments as well.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 (44/223)
9.34 pm
What do you know - a day without snow. Not without shoveling, though, as I had to reduce the berm before leaving at 6.30. Of course, it was back again when I came home, so it'll be more of the same in the morning. Stopped on the way home for cat food and the all-important Valentine's Day card. I'm not much on the holiday myself, preferring to acknowledge my sweetie's importance to my life on a more regular basis, but a card seems appropriate. My gift will be to cook a meal of V's choice in the evening.
T'ai Chi was difficult for me tonight; I have been experiencing some discomfort in my right knee and shoulder, perhaps brought on by some lifting at work, and it made concentration difficult. The remainder of the "8 Treasures" introduced tonight, and the beginning of learning how to walk. So much of the form is wrapped up in balance - something which has never been a strength for me.
Got some studying in at lunch and on breaks at work, but more needs to be done, as there are quizzes in all three classes on Friday.
What do you know - a day without snow. Not without shoveling, though, as I had to reduce the berm before leaving at 6.30. Of course, it was back again when I came home, so it'll be more of the same in the morning. Stopped on the way home for cat food and the all-important Valentine's Day card. I'm not much on the holiday myself, preferring to acknowledge my sweetie's importance to my life on a more regular basis, but a card seems appropriate. My gift will be to cook a meal of V's choice in the evening.
T'ai Chi was difficult for me tonight; I have been experiencing some discomfort in my right knee and shoulder, perhaps brought on by some lifting at work, and it made concentration difficult. The remainder of the "8 Treasures" introduced tonight, and the beginning of learning how to walk. So much of the form is wrapped up in balance - something which has never been a strength for me.
Got some studying in at lunch and on breaks at work, but more needs to be done, as there are quizzes in all three classes on Friday.
The Guitar Circle of Chicago Diary of David Dunn